'Television Production - From Camcorder to Broadcast TV'

Example Chapter - Introduction

The book is about making programmes. Each piece of your equipment comes with instructions regarding that specific piece of equipment, and it is useful to get familiar with that. What you will find here is not an attempt to replace your instruction book; it has to do with the use of the equipment in the making of a programme, which is not the same thing at all.

You will find repetitions in this book; they are deliberate. People have been known to skip bits, indeed the book is written so that you can start at whatever level you wish. If you find you have missed something then there are cross-references and an index that will help you.

The problem with camcorder work and programme building is that you feel the need to know everything at the beginning. But that is not so, providing you can understand what you need to know as you advance, all will be well, so the book starts at Stage 0 which makes the assumption that, while interested in the subject, you have not yet bought any equipment; but are thinking of doing so.

Stage 1 introduces you to your camcorder, some ancillary equipment, the basics of lighting and audio.

Stage 2 goes into programme planning, production, post-production including editing, and other related considerations. It includes outline shooting scripts for making (i) a completed 3-minute movie in the camcorder, and (ii) a 3-minute movie by shooting out of order and then editing.

Stage 3 and 5 go progressively deeper into the subjects commenced in Stage 1.

Stage 4 continues where Stage 2 left off and takes you to the point of shooting and separately editing a 20-minute programme, which will hold the interest of your viewers.

Stage 6 continues where Stage 4 left off and takes you to the point of making a 50-minute programme without the need for verbal explanations or any need to reach for the fast forward button. This is about as long as any audience will sit and watch a homemade video; but if you can hold your audience that long then you are on your way to making professional programmes!

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